Title
text National
here Forest Native Plant Materials Program
San Juan
FY2011 Accomplishments:
Pioneering Plants Project
Project Goal:
Severely degraded lands often support only weedy, usually nonnative plant species. We believe it is plausible to begin restoring
self-sustaining native plant communities on these lands by
reseeding with “pioneer” native species. The goal of this project is
researching and developing economically viable techniques to
produce seed from pioneering early- and mid- successional native
species. This project will help make it profitable for commercial
seed companies to produce these seeds for restoration and
reclamation projects.
Seed Collections:
In FY2009 and FY2010, with USFS and BLM funds, we inventoried
30 wildland collection sites, studied phenology, and collected
seeds from 21 species. In FY2011, with USFS, BLM and Colorado
Parks and Wildlife funds, we monitored our collection sites and
collected seeds from twelve additional species. Species suitable
for Gunnison sage grouse habitat restoration were the focus of our
2011 collections. All seeds were sent through the BLM Seeds of
Success Program to the USFS, Bend Seed Extractory. All
seedlots were cleaned and tested, then a portion of each
collection preserved in a long-term storage facility and a portion
sent back for research and increase.
Seed Increase and Research:
USFS has an agreement with Colorado State University (CSU).
BLM contracted Southwest Seed, Inc., a local seed grower. Both
projects involve research and increase plots of pioneer species.
Planting at CSU occurred in Fall 2010. Two acres of seed increase
plots comprised of five species were successfully established in
2011. Small research plots of eight species also had good
establishment. Southwest Seed is growing 24 small research
plots. Seed yields on fields and small plots are expected in 2012.
Data collection on propagation, cultivation, harvesting and
reclamation potential continues.
Native Plant Garden:
A half-acre native garden was planted at the Dolores Public Lands
Office in Fall 2010. Fencing and irrigation were installed in Spring
2011. The 2011 growing season focused on weed eradication.
The garden will eventually reclaim a degraded site and serve as a
learning tool for agencies, researchers, and the community.
Colorado Habitat Partnership Program donated fence materials.
Outreach:
Three articles on our program were published in FY 2011; one in
the Cortez Journal, one in the Four Corners Free Press, and one in
BLM’s E-Notes. We gave a presentation about our program at the
Colorado Plateau Native Plant Program Annual Meeting. A
presentation abstract regarding provisional seed zones was
accepted by the 11th Biennial Conference of Research on the
Colorado Plateau.
Seeding the Native Plant
Garden, wooly locoweed pods,
annual Townsend daisy flower.
Both species collected this year.
Plant photos by Al Schneider.
Year Awarded: 2009
Project Completion: 2012
Report Number: 3 of 4
Expenditures:
•FY09 NFN3 funds received $58,000.
•Non USFS funds and in-kind support received $71,000.
•TOTAL funds and in-kind support received $129,000.
•FY09 NFN3 funds obligated $42,000.
•NFN3 total expenditures to date $28,500.
•Total Non USS expenditures to date $60,000.
Partners/Contractors/Cooperators:
•Colorado State University
•Uncompaghre Partnership
•BLM Seeds of Success Program
•Southwest Seed, Inc.
•Colorado Habitat Partnership Program
•Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Contact Person & phone number:
• Cara MacMillan (970) 882-6854
San Juan National Forest
Dolores Public Lands Office
29211 Highway 145
Dolores, CO 81323